Tennessee – Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Adult Injury Child Injury (18 and Under) Ongoing Investigation Tennessee January 10, 2020February 16, 2020 by Gary Klein

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020

Bronson Reed, a 45-year old father in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee was cleaning a 9-mm pistol in his home when it went off unexpectedly. The bullet struck Reed in the leg …

Adult Death No Charges Filed Tennessee December 31, 2019February 16, 2020 by Gary Klein

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

In Savannah Tennessee, 86-year old Lawrence Smith accidentally shot himself in the leg while sitting in his car outside a gun store. Police administered aid, but Mr. Smith later died …

Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Tennessee December 8, 2019February 16, 2020 by Gary Klein

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019

In Memphis Tennessee, 20-year old Alex Brown was arrested after accidentally shooting and killing a four-year old boy. Brown told police, “he was unloading his pistol when it accidentally fired …

Adult Arrested Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) Tennessee December 1, 2019February 16, 2020 by admin

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019

At a house party in Bedford County, Tennessee, a 19-year old man shot and killed his teenage friend, Riley Hancock, while they played with a gun. According to witnesses, the …

Child Death (18 and Under) Child Under 18 (as Shooter) No Charges Filed Tennessee November 29, 2019February 16, 2020 by admin

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2019

In Memphis Tennessee, no charges were filed after a 11-year old boy found a gun in a cousin’s apartment when no adults were home. He accidentally shot and killed himself. …

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Less than two weeks after 15-year old Bradley Hulett was accidentally shot to death (see entry for December 12, 2019), another Tampa, Florida area teen was shot and killed in a gun accident. 13-year old Steven McQueen was accidentally shot and killed by a sibling.

Comments on the newspaper’s Facebook page include the following:
- Alfred John Zweig wrote: “'Tragic accidents' do NOT happen with firearms, ever. This is a myth. Ask anyone who's HAD to carry one. Someone, at some point broke the rules. Simple rules, easily understood rules, the same rules for everyone — or they weren't taught the rules. In which case they shouldn't possess a firearm, should they?”
Others responded:
- Christine L Maldonado Hayes wrote: “Regardless of the circumstances, the family does not need judgment from the perfect ‘not my kid, not my family’ Facebook gang! I am sure they have beaten themselves up enough over the past few days with all the ‘what ifs’ and ‘only ifs.’ Now is the time for healing and support. Who are any of us to pass judgment on anyone?!”
- Katie McWherter wrote: “How sad and tragic — an accident his sibling will have to live with forever. God be with the family and bring them peace. RIP young man. So sorry for your loss.”
13-year old Steven was a gunnery sergeant with the Nature Coast young marines, having been a member of that organization for five years. The circumstances of the accident were not released.

Sources:

Mike Wright, “H ernando Mother Struggles to Cope with Teenage Son's Death,” Citrus County Chronicle (December 25, 2019).

Nancy Kennedy, “1 229 Chronicle Week in Review: Tragic Accidents, Bad News for Bus Riders in Homosassa and the Spirit Moves in Crystal River,” Citrus County Chronicle (December 27, 2019).